Chapter 363 - Robert Armen!

"Rudolf, you better have a good reason for disturbing me in the middle of my cultivation." a gruff voice sounded right after Rudolf felt the pressure on his body diminishing little by little.

A slightly aged man who seemed to be in his late fifties walked out of the manor's gates. He had long brown hair with a few streaks of white mixed in, while his face was clean on any stubble. The man had piercing brown eyes and tall stature. He wore a regal silk robe over his slightly hunched figure.

This man was non-other than the twelfth King of Armen Kingdom, King Robert Armen. He had two sons and three daughters, but unfortunately, the elder son, who was also his successor, died due to deviation in his cultivation, which then paved the way for his second son, that is the current King Rudolf, to ascend to the crown. At the same time, the other three daughters had already been wed to three different powerful Clans situated inside the kingdom in order to stabilize and strengthen the rule of the Royal family. 

Though Rudolf became the King, it was widely rumored among the forces that Robert wasn't happy with that. The relationship between them was said to be bad as it was seen by how rarely they communicated and how little help Robert provided to his son in the political arena.

Some people said this was becasue Robert thought Rudolf had a hand in the death of his Eldest Son, his true successor.

There is another theory out there that says Robert had cuckolded his Rudolf and that one, or two maybe all three sons of Rudolf from three different queens has actually been sired by his Robert. But no one could confirm if any of the rumors out there that explained the cause of the stormy relationship between the two were true. 

For a minute second, a killing intent rose in Rudolf's heart when he saw his father's face, but he quickly blocked his dangerous thoughts and bowed his head before saying, "Father, I didn't want to disturb you, but if the situation had not gone out of my control I would not have come here."

Seeing that his father didn't say anything else or reprimand him further, Rudolf began explaining what trouble he had encountered.

"This man that you talk about, Danny Glover. Have you found who is behind him?" After listening to what had happened to the five independent states to their east, Robert said.

"No, father. We have no information about where he came from. The only thing we know is that he first showed up at the White-Conch City. Most probably, he should have come from those islands which are further east. We don't have much intel of people and forces that reside in that backward place."

"Hm, since you don't have intel on him, try to get that first. In the meantime… bring that person to the table negotiate with him to release all our people. After that, form a blockade and don't let any merchants go there from our borders for trade. There's not much we can do now other than that, Rudolf. You know the rules that bind my hands unless they kill a direct descendent of my family through assassination or attack the Royal capital, I can't retaliate in any way." Robert said with a stoic face. He didn't seem to hold the matters of his kingdom in many regards now. 

"Father, he has Ronald with him." Rudolf knew why his father didn't want to give him help, but it was not just about the soldiers and the city; it was about his son, Ronald, who was also captured. He can't ransom him out. That would truly make a fool out of him and create problems for his future ascension to the throne. He would never let Ryan and Richard take the crown.

"Ronald? What is he doing there?" Robert asked. 

Rudolf gritted his teeth and finally said why he would send Ronald to take part in the frontline. No matter how much he regretted it, he couldn't turn back time and say no to his wife, the current queen of the Armen Kingdom. He also knows, for a matter of fact, that Ronald went to the frontline, not for military merits but to take his revenge against that girl by the Elaina. 

But there is no medicine for regrets, what's done was done. 

Robert's face turned cold. He seemed to be a little angry, but Rudolf knew it was all acting. His father might, in fact, be gloating in his mind hearing how Ronald has gone and got himself captured by the enemies.

"Since he had decided to go the frontline, and then he should be ready to be killed or taken as prisoner. 

Rudolf took a deep breath and said, "Still, he is my son, my blood, and not to mention, he is the Second Prince of the Armen Kingdom. Ransoming him out will not only tarnish his reputation but will also tarnish the reputation of our Royal family. As much as that would hurt me, it would be far worse for you, my dear father. Imagine what your friends from the numerous sects and your rivals would think about you when they get to know how your grandson had to be ransomed from a newly formed kingdom that did not even have a Sect's or an Elemental Master Expert's protection. We Armen's would become a laughing stock everywhere. And as I remember that 'Day' is coming close, you don't want your reputation to downgrade before that, right father?"

Robert's smile froze for a moment. Rudolf finally had the sense of satisfaction in his heart seeing that look on his father's face. But soon that changed because Rudolf was once again bombarded with spiritual pressure on his body and this time it was stronger than before.

Rudolf could only face his father's anger and stay on one knee to face the pressure even though it was quite suffocating and painful.. If he dared to lift his finger now, he was sure Robert would beat him up for good.